Nationals deputy Bridget McKenzie the winner in citizenship saga

New Nationals deputy Bridget McKenzie is set to cap a stunning rise into the cabinet, but more than likely at the expense of a party colleague.

New Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie with Barnaby Joyce at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

Victorian senator Bridget McKenzie is the new deputy leader of the Nationals, replacing Fiona Nash who was forced out of parliament because of her dual citizenship status.

But Senator McKenzie, one of only two women in the Nationals party room, isn’t making much of her gender.

“I’m just a country Victorian,” she told reporters after her election on Thursday.

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Leader Barnaby Joyce, back in parliament after also being disqualified by the High Court over his New Zealand citizenship and reclaiming his New England seat in a by-election, says his new deputy deserved elevation.

“The view of our colleagues is that Bridget McKenzie deserves one of the highest offices now held in the land,” he said.

Senator McKenzie’s election might cost one of her colleagues a place in cabinet if, as expected, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull promotes her to the government’s frontbench.

The Nationals, under an agreement with the Liberals, are entitled to four seats at the cabinet table.

Mr Joyce was reluctant to speculate about the future of existing cabinet ministers Matt Canavan, Nigel Scullion and Darren Chester.

“All these things will be discussed,” he said.

Senator McKenzie says the junior coalition party is “barnstorming” into the end of the year, notwithstanding the LNP’s defeat in the Queensland state election. “I think it’s really important that we have strong economic growth in the regions and so our decentralisation agenda is something I’m very passionate about,” she said.

Senator Canavan said the Nationals would go into 2018 as a strong voice for regional Australia.

“Bridget is a fierce advocate for regional Australia, fighting for issues including better regional telecommunications services and lower power prices,” he said in a statement.

AAP